Our church, Lakewood Baptist, hosted the memorial service for Edna Stephens who perished on 9.11.01 when a hijacked airplane slammed into the Pentagon. Eighteen years have passed, yet we remember it so well. I remember well the words I used as I led in Edna’s memorial service. I thought they were important then, and I believe they … Continued
Recently, we have been a part of some amazing God sized things. In case you missed out on some of these great happenings, here is a brief review. What a joy to join God where he is working. Let’s be faithful to always proclaim Jesus and affirm His Word. Additionally, we are so very thankful … Continued
Of all my pastoral duties, I feel most in awe each time I lead the Lord’s Supper and Baptism services. I feel especially inadequate and humbled when I think about engaging in these two ordinances of our Faith with other Christ followers, knowing such services go back to the beginning of our Christian Faith. … Continued
We held our Annual Business Conference, Sunday July 28, 2019, in the Worship Center right after the Real Life service. It was a joyful time of reflecting on and celebrating so much of what God has done in and through our church family and community since last summer. God is faithfully moving here at Lakewood, … Continued
We wrap up our current ministry year having had some big successes. In addition to our ongoing 52-week-a-year ministry, we enjoyed a very significant VBS, Kid’s Camp, DNOW weekend, Marriage Enrichment Ministry, women’s mission trip to Guatemala, Joy Ministry, Middle School, High School and Gather summer retreats and camps. In addition, I believe we had one … Continued
The reason that the resurrection of Jesus is so often attacked is that it validates the claims Jesus Christ made about Himself. For centuries, relentless efforts by agnostics and atheists have sought to dismiss the resurrection of Jesus. Skeptics try to avoid it or explain it away; doubters seek to dismantle the resurrection of Jesus, … Continued
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. What a day Sunday April 14 was in the life and ministry of Lakewood. We came together and together we walked up to the altar and placed our gifts of sacrifice as a symbol of our love of God and HIS Church. While the amount of the day’s … Continued
2018 Expansion Project Business Conference Motion The Deacon Leadership Council (DLC), on behalf of the Deacon Ministry and Stewardship Team, makes the following motion: That Lakewood Baptist Church engage in an Expansion Project, the scope of which will include, but not be limited to, expanding the existing Ministry Center and GroZone Children’s facilities. … Continued
Well, another OCC is in the books! What a wonderful ministry. I am so very proud of our Operation Christmas Child leader, Jim Lee, our staff liaison, Benji Lavender, and every one of the many dedicated volunteers! Lakewood is a blessing to Samaritan’s Purse as we serve as a regional collection center for OCC, but … Continued
The last several Gainesville Times’ “Minister Columns” have been about truth. We’ve read comments from several writers, but I offer the one single statement which sums up the topic: “Truth can never contradict itself.” That means that anyone who says that there is no absolute truth is both incorrect and illogical. I found Christian apologist … Continued
Here is a prayer that our Worship Pastor, Bill Risinger, shared with me this week. Dear God, I pray you would grant me: Less selfishness and more love, Less insecurity and more kindness, Less pride and more humility, Less greed and more generosity, Less entitlement and more work, Less grudges and more forgiveness, Less ignorance … Continued
As I watched and observed the behavior of those in Charlottesville and in Seattle, I can’t help but think of Captain Woodrow F. Call of “Lonesome Dove” fame. Following an ugly incident when he had to take up for a young boy being abused by an angry adult, he said, “I hate rudeness in a man; … Continued
Each year, we gather as a church family at the end of July to celebrate the accomplishments of the previous church year, vision-cast for the one upcoming and review old and new church business. We are joyfully joining God where He is working locally, nationally and globally, and we continue to see that where He … Continued
Family Promise of Hall County To the Board of Directors of Family Promise of Hall County: When Lakewood Baptist Church joined Family Promise of Hall County at its inception, we believed, organizationally, that Family Promise of Hall County and Lakewood Baptist Church held in common the goal to meet physical needs and the call to … Continued
I was disappointed that our Deacon Minister and Spouse Retreat was canceled due to bad weather in late January. One of the agenda items I was going to share was entitled “Ministry Highlights”. I wanted you to also be able to see how God is blessing our local, national and global ministry through Lakewood. As you review, … Continued
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